setting The osB Record straight

(Continuedtrom page 8) hardwood, plywood overlay and siding.

"Go back a number of years and there would have been far too many difficulties inherent in the product for these applications," notes Frank lannucci, OSB sales manager, Norbord Industries. "That's how far OSB bas come."

Only five years ago, Lavigne points out, builders would not use OSB in cornmercial roof decking. "Now it's one of the most prominent panels for that application."

OSB has undergone numerous technological improvements. New manufacturing processes and advancements in strand quality and orientation are the most significant. Modern presses and improved resins and edge coatings provide a more unifomr board with superior bonding and waterproofing characteristics.

A new generation of OSB mills with the latest technology is about to come on line. Ten mills in North America and at least two abroad are currently under construction or in the final planning stages. By the end of 1996, North American OSB capacity is forecast to increase 35Vo to 15.2 billion sq. ft. (3/8" basis).

A number of experts agree OSB could capture 507o of the North American structural panel market by 2000. Some project this happening as early as 1998.

Manufacturing processes used to make OSB rate as some of the most environmentally friendly in the forest industry. Whole logs are cut to length, debarked, then converted to smnds. Sawdust and other residual fiber is recycled and bumed as a mill energy source. Mills utilizing log soaking ponds regularly clean them and burn the sludge as fuel. Dryers used to remove moisture from OSB

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Shutterboord . Thermo-Ph Insulofive

Heortlond strands now have environmental emissions a fraction of what they were a decade a!o. Forrraldehyde emissions or offgasses ftom bonding compounds are negligible.

Expected to be the 21st Century's preferred structural panel, OSB, says Lavigne, "has developed into a reputable alternative not because of fiber issues, but because it's an excellent product."

Merlo In TV Ads

( Continued from page 2 5) a structural panel made from plentiful, non-controversial trees. L-P's InnerSeal OSB line includes lap and panel siding with matching soffits, fascia and fim and is used as web material in engineered l-joists. Nature Guard cellulose insulation uses recycled newspaper for its wood fiber source, while FiberBond underlayment" wallboard and exterior wall sheathing use recycled paper blended with gypsum.

Key Cuts

The Axxess Precision Key Dupli- qation System from Axxess Enlry Technologies is said to take operator guesswork out of key duplicating,